Time for another post.

I've been keeping busy here in Wrangell: working at the high school, Zumba classes Monday and Wednesday evenings, and doing a life guarding shift Friday evenings.  Sometimes I really don't like having these commitments in the evenings after working all day int he school.  But it's all been fun and I've been meeting some nice people.  Zumba classes especially have been a lot of fun.  There's a regular crew that's been showing up and they seem to really be enjoying it which in turn make me really enjoy it.  I've been doing the classes in the racquetball room at the fitness center which hasn't been that great.  The sound especially is what bothers me.  However, tomorrow night I'll start doing the classes in the gym at the elementary school.  Hopefully that'll go well and everyone will remember to show up there and not at the racquetball room.

I just had a super awesome trip back home.  I left Wrangell last Tuesday afternoon, spent the night in the airport in Seattle, and the flew to Minneapolis Wednesday morning.  Highlights from the long weekend include....

1.  Finally seeing Chris again face-to-face!  He picked me up at the airport around 1pm and he took me back to his place and we made some pretty delicious Mac N' Cheese (without spaghetti sauce).

2. Minnehaha Falls.  Chris took me to this park, Minnehaha Falls.  It was  pretty neat park set in the middle of the city.  It reminded me a little of Presque Isle.  We walked around for a bit and made it to the falls.  There was an older gentleman playing his guitar with the case set out for tips (yes, chris gave him a tip).  There were quite a few people there too.  It was really nice and I really enjoyed it.

3. Downtown and Dinkytown.  Chris took me to dinner at a restaurant called Annie's.  I loved it!  We shared a chocolate coffee malt (delicious).  Annie's was in a place called Dinkytown, a condensed "town" on campus that had a bunch of restaurants and shops.  THEN, we took the bus downtown and walked around enjoying the lights of the city.  I saw the Mary Tyler Moore statue.

4.  Marquette Bound!  On Friday, Chris and I left for Marquette.  It was about a 7 hour drive.  It was pretty long but well worth it.  The fall colors were awesome and kept getting better as we got closer to the U.P.

5.  Surprising my mom and Casey!  I showed up at home with my mom not knowing I was going to.  The front door was locked and she couldn't hear me knocking.  The dogs were barking non-stop.  So, finally I ended up calling her to open the door.  I also texted Casey that I was home and she was very excited...so excited that she left work early for me!

6.  Family time!  Saturday was spent just hanging out with me family.  Adam and the family came over to visit.  My mom, Casey, Chris, and I took Natalie to the park.  I miss those kids.  Then for dinner, Chris and I went out to my dad's.  I was very happy that my dad made it back from his camping trip to come see me.  I was bummed that I had to spoil my surprise and tell him that I was coming before he left for his camping trip, but it all worked out in the end.

Some lowlights from the weekend include...

1.  Creepy worker at the airport that tried to spark conversation at 3:30 in the morning.

2.  7 hours driving!  Though it was 7 hours I got to spend sitting next to Chris :)

3.  More 7 hours driving.  The drive back to the airport was the worst!  I was bummed the entire drive because I didn't want to leave.

Okay, so there is my extended weekend vacation in a nutshell.  Soon, it less than 2 weeks now, is my birthday!!!  YAY!!!  And, Brittany's birthday is the day before mine and this year we'll actually be able to celebrate our birthdays together!!!  It should be a lot of fun!  Can't wait!  If anyone out there wants to get me a present, ask Lacey.  I gave her a couple ideas...though most were a little expensive.  SO, I will accept donations to my Coming Home For Christmas Fund.  Seriously, it's a lot of money to come home, so any amount would be helpful.

Alrighty now.  I'm pretty tired.  Going to bed now.  Goodnight All!

Dulcey